Media Releases

1 April 2020 The peak associations representing Victoria’s sustainable native timber industries have cautiously welcomed today’s announcement of the Regional Forest Agreements (RFAs) extension, but considerable uncertainty still surrounds the Andrews Government’s plan to close down the industry by 2030. The Victorian Association of Forest Industries Inc. (VAFI) the Australian Read more…

19 March 2020 The forestry industry has congratulated the Victorian Liberal Nationals Opposition for showing its support for the industry in Victoria and trying to ensure it has a future. On Tuesday the Opposition introduced a motion to State Parliament to establish an inquiry into the Government’s plan to end Read more…

6 March 2020 The Victorian Government must urgently intervene to save the Victoria’s native timber industry and the thousands of jobs it supports, industry peak bodies urged today. Yesterday’s court decision to extend an injunction preventing timber harvesting in 13 coupes is the latest setback for the industry, which was Read more…

3 February 2020 Victoria’s hardwood timber industry is demanding Premier Daniel Andrews immediately clarify comments this morning in which he appeared to flag changes to his decision to close the state’s hardwood timber industry. Download Media Release

13 November 2019 If news of the recent announcement by the State Government to phase out the Victorian native timber industry wasn’t already pushing workers towards emotional breaking point, activists have yet again targeted a forest contractor in a coupe, the second time in two months. The Victorian Association of Read more…

7 November 2019 The Victorian Association of Forest Industries Inc. (VAFI) is devastated by the State Government’s decision to shut down the Victorian native timber industry by 2030. “It’s clear the government has bowed to pressure from vocal environmental groups and turned its back on listening to those within the Read more…

24 September 2019 The peak body for the Victorian timber and forestry industry is concerned at the recent lack of government support for local harvesting contractors. “Protesters who invaded harvesting operations in a Rubicon Valley timber harvest site last week ignored Public Safety Zone legislation, putting lives at risk,” said Read more…

2 September 2019 The Victorian Association of Forest Industries Inc. (VAFI) calls for immediate action from the State Government after a protest in a timber harvesting coupe in Kinglake has again stopped forest contractors from making a living. VAFI CEO, Tim Johnston, said the Government has the regulatory power to Read more…

15 August 2019 Victoria’s plantation forestry sector injects more than $600 million into the state’s economy each year, a figure the Victorian Association of Forest Industries Inc. (VAFI) says must be taken seriously by the State and Federal governments. VAFI CEO, Tim Johnston, said in 2017-18 Victoria continued to have Read more…

11 July 2019 The Victorian Association of Forest Industries Inc. (VAFI) is deeply troubled by a report of alleged market research, believed to be partly funded by the State Government, which sought feedback from Victorians on the closure of the Victorian native timber industry by 2022. VAFI CEO, Tim Johnston, Read more…